UAE and Bahrain partner in archaeological rehabilitation project in Muharraq

The UAE and Bahrain have announced plans to jointly rehabilitate two archaeological houses in the Bahraini town of Muharraq.

Revealed during a ceremony in Manama, where HE Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, expressed how the project reflects the "depth and strength" of the relationship between the two countries, the project will host cultural, artistic and literary events.

The two houses will be called 'Nuzul Al Samal' and 'Green House' -- selected carefully to reflect traits of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi for nearly 40 years.

"Sheikh Zayed was a man of peace, humanity and tolerance," read a statement released by the UAE's Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development. "He paid special attention to the environment and agriculture and sought to expand green landscapes in the UAE, therefore, both houses will bear his name."

The UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, HE Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi added, "These houses wil become platforms for the promotion of Gulf and international culture and art through seminars and festivals that contribute to the preservation of Gulf culture and preserve it for future generations."

In line with the UAE's strategy to preserve cultural and human heritage, the project's two houses will serve different programmes. Nuzul Al Salam will be a welcoming point for visitors of the Pearling Trail and the historic town of Muharraq. It will also be restored to reflect authentic Bahraini architecture.

The Green House will be transformed into a library, where art from the Kingdom of Bahrain will be archived. It will also feature restored manuscripts, preserved books and paintings. The building will also display a vertical garden that contains 200 species of plants from sub-tropical and desert regions around the world, including the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, Australia and South Africa.

"This project reflects the progress achieved by the cultural relations between our two countries through the close coordination and cooperation between our respective cultural institutions as we strive to become a model of successful partnership in the cultural and creative fields," said HE Sheikh Sultan Al Nahyan, "especially in light of the ties of brotherhood and common destiny that join our two peoples."